EP ice racer-rebuild (before - after)

[eddie pettengil]

I got this ATC back in 1988 for $500. Being just a kid at the time and not knowing any better I really beat the crap out of it. Thanks to dad, He kept it running for me every time I would bring it home broke. When I made the switch over to 4wheels, good old dad kept this as his woods beater. Finally around 1995 it got stuffed under the deck with a tarp covering it. It stayed there untill 2006 when I came across this website and decided to rebuild this thing. Now, I'm not the kind of guy to rebuild something for a show piece only. Here I am at 35 years old really needing the feeling of sliding that thing side ways on a frozen lake once again.

Thank you to everyone that contributes to this site, If it were not for you, this wheeler would still be under the deck covered in rust. Enjoy.


Here are some before pics.

[88 Turbo Coupe]

Nothing like a time capsul!!

[eddie pettengil]

This is what I have for this year.

[Tri-Z Pilot]

Doesnt look too bad actually, other than the rust. Gotta love the spray-bomb blue headlight also.:D Gonna be a great start for a ground up.

[Tri-Z Pilot]

Wow! that was a fast resto! lol

[Saul]

How wide is that sucker across the rear bro?

NICE!

[eddie pettengil]

49 1/2 inches. Its the same axle that came on it when i bought it. Not sure if its +3 or +4

[BigGreenMachine]

Nice one Eddy! You did good with that!

Is the motor worked up at all?

[ChrisD]

Nice restoration! :beer

Your story is like mine. When I started racing, I was only 16. Fortunately, I worked at a marina and was mechanically enclined so I was able to keep my bike running. I am now 36 and have a dedicated ice bike.

The bike looks great. Are you willing to travel to race at all? We have gathered a great group of guys last winter and am looking forward to racing again this winter. Now that people are hooked, I think that the competition will become more serious this year.

Hope you can join us sometime. Depending on the winter, we will see where we will meet this year.

[edog]

So thats the one you told me about a year ago. Looks nice now.
What are you using to hold that air filter up?

[Daddio]

Nice! Another one saved from the ravages of time. I really like the lowered look. It reminds me of 1upfronts 300r airfooler. Low and mean.:naughty:

[fabiodriven]

Nice job on the trike, man.

I wasn't planning on doing any ice riding this year, but if it ain't a big deal to throw some studs in I might consider it. I dunno if my tires can be studded either. I'll post a pic and you guys tell me what you think. Also, what do you use for studs? And where do you get them? How much are they? Will I ever stop asking questions?

If these tires won't work I guess I could use my Tecate.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r275/fabiodriven/300R/PB080086.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r275/fabiodriven/300R/PB080087.jpg

[eddie pettengil]

BigGreenMachine Thanks, The motor is very stock. The bottom end has never been open. Only had one hone with a fresh piston 15 years ago.

ChrisD I followed that thread last year and wanted to join you guys so bad. Sure looked like fun. I live on a lake up here in south east NH and maintain a track from Jan to the end of March. I keep it plowed with a f-350 and even add water to the racing groove when needed. I added so much water to the track last year that when the lake thawed the track was still floating for 3 weeks after (no kidding). I really want to meet up with you guys somehow, here or there.

How did you like your -1 inch swingarm on your trike. I have been debating using the 450r rear end.

edog It is held on by a zip tie. last year i just let it hang there with no problems.

fabiodriven I think you could stud them with 1/2 inch "cold cutters" or "original gold screw" but I dont think that tread pattern is ideal.

[ChrisD]

How did you like your -1 inch swingarm on your trike. I have been debating using the 450r rear end.

It made the bike really fun. I don't know if you remember seeing pictures of my bike rippin wheelies all over the track, but it hooked so well, that it would pull the front wheel nicely, but not in a bad way. It was controllable. You pin it in the turn and it would pull the front wheel as you exited the turn and hold the wheel off the ground about 1/4 - 1/2 way down the track.

I really do like it. This year, I put on my -1 Westcoast and will see what it feels like. The Westcoast will allow me to lower the bike a little more.

I would not run a -1 in the dirt or the trails because the bike would be a handfull, but it works well on the ice.

[ChrisD]

By the way Fabiodriven....

that is a really nice R you have. The 85-86 are a dime a dozen, but a tricked out gen 1 or gen 2 R is hard to come by. Nice...

[brrcuda]

fabio - do not stud those tires. Those are rare 80s gems you have there. :wondering ALot of guys would pay mucho to have those tires.

[eddie pettengil]

I agree, you can buy real ice tires for $100 + studs (new).

[Saul]

How do studded tires do on/in snow? Cayse I'm debating if I should get Maxxis 4-snows this winter or stud a set of cheng shin's - I'll be doing ALOT of snow riding and some ice riding.

Maybe go with both I guess.

I'm just wondering what the studded tires will be like riding to the lakes and ponds?!

[eddie pettengil]

You will kill the studs in very little time riding to the lake unless it is a snow packed trail. dirt, sand, pavement and rock or pepples due a number on them. We drive our trucks right out on the lake and then unload them.

[Saul]

How about '4-snows' on ice? Are they any good at all?

[eddie pettengil]

They would help.

[chris200x]

Looks killer eddie!! Are you guys running 18 or 20 inch rear tires?

[fabiodriven]

By the way Fabiodriven....

that is a really nice R you have. The 85-86 are a dime a dozen, but a tricked out gen 1 or gen 2 R is hard to come by. Nice...

I thank you very much sir.

[fabiodriven]

fabio - do not stud those tires. Those are rare 80s gems you have there. :wondering ALot of guys would pay mucho to have those tires.

Yeah, I know Paul. I just got off the phone with Todd. I had no idea what they were. Good thing I didn't break out the drill yet!

Depending what my situation is in a couple weeks I may just stud the Tecate and slap the wheel spacers on.

[Nick_R_23]

How do studded tires do on/in snow? Cayse I'm debating if I should get Maxxis 4-snows this winter or stud a set of cheng shin's - I'll be doing ALOT of snow riding and some ice riding.

Maybe go with both I guess.

I'm just wondering what the studded tires will be like riding to the lakes and ponds?!

The best set of tires Ive found for snow are sand paddle tires. I have them on an 86 200x and it will tear through the snow better then my friends 4wd 4 wheeler. Itll go places I never thought it would.

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[Saul]

The best set of tires Ive found for snow are sand paddle tires. I have them on an 86 200x and it will tear through the snow better then my friends 4wd 4 wheeler. Itll go places I never thought it would.

-Nick :TrikesOwn

Sand Paddles kinda remind me of 4-snows in some ways. Thanks for the info though.

I really think I'm gunna try the 4-snows this year - just wondering if I need to run one up front too.

[chris200x]

Sand Paddles kinda remind me of 4-snows in some ways. Thanks for the info though.

I really think I'm gunna try the 4-snows this year - just wondering if I need to run one up front too.

No..

4snows wont help you much on a frozen lake. I run a set in the winter and they do great in snow.. but you wont go anywhere on the ice without the proper studs.

These are the tires you want (although that websites rates are kinda high)

http://www.jcmotors.com/pc-497-1279-cheng-shin-c826-general-purpose-atv-tire.aspx

Regular old sheet metal screws will work.. but if your racing, and want to be competive you gotta spend the bucks for the kold cutters (about $75 per 1000)

Anyone else think fabiodrivin is getting as bad as edog with posting those pics... I've seen that bike in about 15 diffrent threads already! j/k.. LMAO!!!

[Tri-ZNate]

No..

but you wont go anywhere on the ice without the proper studs.


or if you sink 'em in too far :lol: shens

[chris200x]

or if you sink 'em in too far :lol: shens

I didn't have any problems loosing air in my tires last year Nate. in fact.. I just went out and checked.. the front tire still has about 20 lbs of air in it! :lol: :w00t:

[Tri-ZNate]

I didn't have any problems loosing air in my tires last year Nate. in fact.. I just went out and checked.. the front tire still has about 20 lbs of air in it! :lol: :w00t:

yeah all my screws sunk right through and they all hold air. Cant wait

[Trikeaholic]

Yeah, I know Paul. I just got off the phone with Todd. I had no idea what they were. Good thing I didn't break out the drill yet!

Depending what my situation is in a couple weeks I may just stud the Tecate and slap the wheel spacers on.


I almost had a heart attack!

[88 Turbo Coupe]

No..

4snows wont help you much on a frozen lake. I run a set in the winter and they do great in snow.. but you wont go anywhere on the ice without the proper studs.

These are the tires you want (although that websites rates are kinda high)

http://www.jcmotors.com/pc-497-1279-cheng-shin-c826-general-purpose-atv-tire.aspx

Regular old sheet metal screws will work.. but if your racing, and want to be competive you gotta spend the bucks for the kold cutters (about $75 per 1000)

Anyone else think fabiodrivin is getting as bad as edog with posting those pics... I've seen that bike in about 15 diffrent threads already! j/k.. LMAO!!!

I got 4 chens from DK. Best price and 5 bucks each to ship.

[Saul]

No..

4snows wont help you much on a frozen lake. I run a set in the winter and they do great in snow.. but you wont go anywhere on the ice without the proper studs.



Ok but how about for normal snow riding? Do I need a 4-snow up front or will having two in the back suffice?

[fabiodriven]

Anyone else think fabiodrivin is getting as bad as edog with posting those pics... I've seen that bike in about 15 diffrent threads already! j/k.. LMAO!!!

Ok, I get the message.:lol: I guess it has been popping up in alot of posts lately, but you gotta admit- it ain't hard on the eyes!

[russell56443]

Sweet Trike!!!
fabiodriven,that 81 is Awesome!!!

[fabiodriven]

Sweet Trike!!!
fabiodriven,that 81 is Awesome!!!

Thanks alot, man. Looks like you've got one as well, eh?

[chris200x]

Ok, I get the message.:lol: I guess it has been popping up in alot of posts lately, but you gotta admit- it ain't hard on the eyes!

I don't mind at all bro. :beer looks great... Just thought I'd lay off edog for at least one post. :Bounce

[badasskfx]

looks good eddie cant wait to tear it up!

[tri-Z ripper]

Fabio when did you pick up the R? and i will def be up to ice race at eddies this year!!

[fabiodriven]

Fabio when did you pick up the R? and i will def be up to ice race at eddies this year!!

Bout a month ago. Traded my monster truck for it.

[eddie pettengil]

We had a layer of ice on the lake this morning. It will not be long. Last year we were ice racing the week after Christmas. Can't wait to get it going SIDEWAYS